Multi-compartment container

ABSTRACT

A multi-unit storage device wherein two separate compartments are attached together at their bottom portions. The containers are vacuum or otherwise sealed at their top portions such that when the top portions are opened, the seal is broken and access to the products contained therein is provided.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/542,507, filed on Nov. 14, 2014, which is divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/622,853, filed on Nov. 20, 2009 (now issued asU.S. Pat. No. 8,915,395), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/415,910, filed on Mar. 31, 2009 (now abandoned),which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/948,837,filed on Sep. 22, 2004 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,571,829), whichclaims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/505,410, filed on Sep.23, 2003, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to multiple compartment storage devices,and more particularly, to a multiple-unit storage device that includestwo separate containers coupled together at their bottom portions in astacked arrangement.

Description of the Prior Art

In the packaging of certain products where freshness is a concern, it isdesirable to have the products packaged under vacuum or seal to avoidexposure to the damaging effects of the atmosphere. By way of example,one such product is coffee. Typically, coffee is packaged in a singlecompartment can under vacuum. When the coffee can is opened and exposedto atmospheric conditions, all of the coffee in that coffee can may loseits aroma and flavor due to the effects of oxygen and moisture in theatmosphere. Consequently, there is a need for a container that givesconsumers access to an amount of sealed products without compromisingthe freshness of all of the contents in the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention provides a multi-unit storage devicewhere two separate containers are held together at their bottomportions. The separate containers are vacuum or otherwise sealed attheir top portions such that when the top portions are opened, the sealis broken and access to the products contained therein is provided.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a multi-unitstorage device includes a first container having a top portion and abottom portion, a second container having a top portion and a bottomportion, the first and second portions being permanently coupledtogether at their bottom portions in a stacked arrangement, and at leastone removable lid for coupling to the top portions. Each of the twoseparate containers is individually sealed at their respective topportions.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, eachcontainer is a unitary body.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, eachcontainer includes ribs defined within a sidewall.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, eachcontainer has a cylindrical sidewall and a bottom.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, thefirst and second containers are coupled together via welding.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the firstand second containers are coupled together via an adhesive.

The present invention also provides a method of packaging at least onetype of product, where the method includes providing first and secondseparate containers have top and bottom portions, coupling, in apermanent manner, the first and second separate containers together attheir bottom portions in a stacked arrangement to form a multi-unitstorage container, placing product into the first container, placingproduct into the second container, and vacuum sealing the two separatecontainers at their top portions.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the product isplaced into each container prior to the two separate containers beingcoupled together.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the productis placed into each container after the two separate containers havebeen coupled together.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the methodincludes placing a removable lid over at least one top portion afterthat container has been sealed.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, amulti-compartment storage device includes two cylinders coupled with aconnecting-divider to form two compartments on opposite sides of theconnecting divider.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, amulti-compartment storage device includes a single cylinder and adividing wall disposed therein to define two compartments on either sideof the divider wall inside the cylinder.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentupon review of the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of two containers for a multi-unit storagedevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the two containers forming a multi-unitstorage device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of two cylinders and connecting-divider fora multi-unit storage device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of one cylinders and connecting-divider fora multi-unit storage device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a multi-unit storage device 10 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.The multi-unit storage device consists of two containers or cans 11, 12.The containers may be made of metal, in which case they are weldedtogether at their bottom portions 13, 14. Glue or some other type ofadhesive may also be used.

The top portions can be sealed with either metal, foil, plastic or anyother suitable material. Examples for the two separate containersinclude coffee cans, nut cans, potato chip cans and other types ofsnacks. Lids 15 can be provided for closing or resealing the cans 11,12.

The separate cans may be made using many manufacturing techniques. Earlymethods of making such cans included rolling a metallic body or sidewall16 and coupling a metallic bottom 17 to the body portion with a foldedor sealed flange. Additionally, the bottom may be coupled to the rolledbody with a welding-type process. Modern methods include stamping orforming the bottom and body as a unitary body. In some embodiments, ribsor troughs 18 may be defined circumferentially in the body or sidewallto provide extra strength and stability.

Another example of a type of container that may be used as thecontainers to form the multi-unit storage device in accordance with thepresent invention includes a cardboard or plastic body 16 with a metal,or plastic bottom 17. The containers may also be made as a unitary bodyof plastic or other suitable material. Examples of such a containerinclude orange juice cans, nut cans, coffee, some potato snack cans andother snack cans.

In use, two containers 11, 12 as described above are provided and arecoupled together at their bottom portions 13, 14. Each can, container orcompartment is filled with a product and then individually vacuum,nitrogen flush or otherwise sealed. This may be done before or after thetwo containers are coupled to one another. Each compartment may befilled with the same product or different products. Examples of productsinclude, but are not limited to, coffee, nuts, potato chips, candy, tea,dried fruit, etc.

When one desires access to a product, one simply opens one compartmentof the container. Thus, the second compartment remains unopened, therebyprotecting the product therein from the elements and helping maintainfreshness. When access to the second compartment is desired, themulti-unit storage device is “flipped” and the second compartment isopened. Each compartment may be closed with lids 15 if provided. One lidmay be provided and used for both containers if desired.

Additionally, each compartment may be filled with a different product ifit is so desired. For example, one compartment may include potato chipswhile the second container may include corn chips.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment according to the present invention.Elevation view 200A is the unassembled view of the multi-compartmentcontainer in elevation view 200B. As shown in FIG. 3, multi-compartmentcontainer in elevation view 200A can include a first cylinder 20, aconnecting-divider 22 and a second cylinder 21. First cylinder 20 andsecond cylinder 21 can be made of any number of materials including, butnot limited to, metal, plastic, cardboard, paper board, Mylar® and foil.In some embodiments, first cylinder 20 and second cylinder 21 can bemade of a composite material that incorporates two or more of theaforementioned materials. For example, the substrate of first cylinder20 and second cylinder 21 can include a cardboard substrate having afoil lining on the interior surface of the cylinder and a Mylar® orplastic coating on the exterior surface of the cylinder. Using orreducing the amount of metal in a container can drastically reduce thecost of producing and shipping the containers. Not only are the actualnon-metal component materials less expensive, but there are manyinexpensive techniques and machines that may be used for producingcontainers, cans, cylinders and dividers from non-metal materials.

In various embodiments, the first end 23 of the first cylinder 20 canhave a top opening portion adapted to be sealed and capable of receivinga reusable lid to close the opening. Similarly, the second end 29 of thesecond cylinder 21 can also have a top opening portion adapted to besealed and capable of receiving a reusable lid to close the opening. Thereusable lid can be similar to the reusable lid 15 shown in FIGS. 1 and2. The multi-compartment container or storage device pictured in FIG. 3can be used, filled and accessed in manners similar to those describedabove.

In various embodiments, the first cylinder 20 and second cylinder 21 arehollow cylinders with a wall thickness, w, dimensioned to produce thestructural rigidity suitable for containing and protecting productspackaged therein, maintaining optional vacuum or pressure or stacking ofmultiple containers during shipping and display. The first cylinder caninclude an interior surface and an exterior surface with similar ordissimilar materials. For example, the exterior surface can be coated ina plastic film while the interior surface can be coated with a metalfoil. The wall thickness, w, can depend on multiple factors, such as theintended use of the multi-compartment container, the material of thecylinders and the intended packaging method. For example, the wallthickness, w, for a cardboard cylinder can be thicker than that of ametal cylinder, especially if the resulting multi-compartment containeris intended to be vacuum, pressure or nitrogen flushed sealed. Nitrogenflush sealing replaces the air inside the container to remove oxygen andmoisture to help better preserve the freshness of the packaged products.

First cylinder 20 can have a first end 23 and a second end 25 and secondcylinder 21 can have a first end 27 and a second end 29.Connecting-divider 22 can have a first side 26 and a second side 28 andhave a unitary body construction. Multi-compartment container 200B canbe assembled by attaching or coupling the second end 25 of firstcylinder 20 with the first side 26 of connecting-divider 22 andattaching or coupling the first end 27 of cylinder 21 to the second side28 of connecting-divider 22. The means of attaching or coupling the endsof the two cylinders 20 and 21 to the connecting-divider 22 can include,but are not limited to, adhesive, welding and crimping or anycombination thereof.

In some embodiments, connecting-divider 22 can have lip section 24-1 onfirst side 26 and lip section 24-2 on second side 28. The width, n, oflip sections 24-1 and 24-2 can be defined by the difference between thediameter D22-2 of the solid inner portion of connecting-divider 22 andthe outer diameter D 22-1 of connecting-divider 22. In some embodiments,diameter D22-2 can be dimensioned to slip or snug fit around the outsideof diameter D20 of the first cylinder 20 and the second cylinder 21. Insuch embodiments, the first cylinder 20 and the second cylinder 21 canbe inserted into the region defined by the lip sections 24-1 and 24-2,respectively. The lip sections 24-1 and 24-2 can be dimensioned so thatthe interior surface of lip sections 24-1 and 24-2 extend around theouter surfaces of first cylinder 20 and second cylinder 21,respectively. In some embodiments, adhesive can be applied to the innersurface of the lip sections or the outer surface of the cylinders endsto provide more surface area of adhesion. In other embodiments, the lipsections can be crimped or otherwise deformed so as to grab or engagethe outer surfaces of the cylinders. In other embodiments, adhesive andcrimping can be used to ensure a strong and airtight seal between thecylinders 20, 21 and connecting-divider 22.

The height of the lip sections can be dimensioned so as to provideadditional surface area on which to apply adhesive between theconnecting-divider 22 and the cylinders 20 and 21 to further strengthenthe connection between the components. The height of the lip section canbe defined as the difference between the thickness t1 of the solid innerportion of connecting-divider 22 and thickness t2. In some embodiments,the inner solid section of connecting-divider 22 is symmetricallyarranged between lip section 24-1 and lip section 24-2. In otherembodiments, the inner solid section of connecting-divider 22 can bearranged asymmetrically between the two lip sections. In someembodiments, the lip sections 24-1 and 24-2 can dimensioned withdifferent diameters D22-2 so as to accommodate two cylinders withdifferent dimensions such as wall thickness and diameter. For example,first cylinder 20 can have a diameter D20 and wall thickness w whilesecond cylinder 21 can have a diameter different from diameter D20 and awall thickness different from w.

When fully assembled, multi-compartment container 200B can have onecompartment, or container, with walls of uniform diameter defined by theinner surface of cylinder 20 and a bottom defined by the first side 26of the solid inner portion of connecting-divider 22 and anothercompartment, or container, with walls defined by the inner surface ofcylinder 21 and the bottom defined by the second side 28 of the solidinner portion of connecting-divider 22. In some embodiments,connecting-divider 22 has no lip sections and second end 25 of the firstcylinder 20 and the first end 27 of the second cylinder 21, each havingsome wall thickness w, are coupled to the surfaces of opposite sides ofthe connecting-divider 22.

In other embodiments, in which the walls are plastic or other material,the cylinders can have non-uniform diameter from one end to the other orother arbitrary shape as determined by the aesthetics or design of thepackaging. For example, the plastic walls can have depressions orimpressions that make it easier to hold or handle the multi-compartmentcontainer. Similarly, the compartments can any shape required by theproduct or the needs of the aesthetic design with two or more separatelysealable/openable compartments, i.e. the shape of a cartoon character ortrademark character.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of yet another embodiment of the presentinvention. Multi-compartment container 300 can include a cylinder 37having a first end 33 and a second end 35. A multi-compartment container300 can also include a dividing wall 31. Cylinder 37 can have a diameterD37 dimensioned so that dividing wall 31, having a diameter D31, canslip or snugly fit within the inner diameter of cylinder 37. Dividingwall 31 can be coupled to the inner surface of cylinder 37 by anysuitable means including, but not limited to, adhesive, welding, tacksand retaining rings or cylinders.

Dividing wall 31 can be made of any suitable material including, but notlimited to, metal, plastic, cardboard, paper board, Mylar, foil or anycombination or composite thereof. As shown in FIG. 4, dividing wall 31can be a simple disk of some thickness t1 and diameter D31.Alternatively, dividing wall 31 can have structural or reinforcement lipsections 32A and 32B similar to that of the connecting-divider shown inFIG. 3. To conserve material and/or increase the structural integrity ofthe dividing wall 31, the dividing wall 31 can have a solid innersection between the first side 30A and second side 30B having athickness t1 smaller than the thickness t2 between a surface of lipsection 32A and a surface of lip section 32B. The dimension n of thedividing wall 31 can be defined as the difference between diametersD31-1 and D31-2. The dimension n can vary according to the requirementsof a multi-compartment container and the materials used to constructdividing wall 31.

In some embodiments, the cylinder 37 and the dividing wall 31 can bemolded as a unitary body. For example, the cylinder 37 and dividing wallcan be injection molded out of plastic or other moldable as a unitarybody. In such embodiments, the walls of the containers can be made ofthe same material.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodimentswere chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theinvention and its practical application, to thereby enable othersskilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be definedby the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A multi-compartment storage device comprising: acylinder comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end,wherein the first end is characterized by a first diameter, wherein thesecond end is characterized by a second diameter, and wherein the firstdiameter and the second diameter are substantially equal; a divider walldisposed inside the cylinder, wherein the divider wall is characterizedby a width that is substantially equal to the first diameter and thesecond diameter, and wherein the divider wall defines a firstcompartment and a second compartment; a first seal coupled to the firstcompartment; and a second seal coupled to the second compartment. 18.The multi-compartment storage device of claim 17, further comprising: areusable closure element coupled to at least one of the firstcompartment and the second compartment.
 19. The multi-compartmentstorage device of claim 18, wherein the reusable closure element ischaracterized by a third diameter that is larger than the firstdiameter, the second diameter, and the width.
 20. The multi-compartmentstorage device of claim 18, wherein the reusable closure elementcomprises a lid.
 21. The multi-compartment storage device of claim 17,wherein at least one of the first seal or the second seal is single use.22. The multi-compartment storage device of claim 17, wherein thecylinder and the divider wall are molded as a unitary body.
 23. Themulti-compartment storage device of claim 17, wherein the cylinder andthe divider wall are made of a same material.
 24. The multi-compartmentstorage device of claim 17, wherein the cylinder and the divider wallcomprise at least one of plastic, metal, cardboard, paper board, foiland polymer.
 25. The multi-compartment storage device of claim 17,wherein the divider wall comprises a reinforcement lip.
 26. Themulti-compartment storage device of claim 17, wherein the firstcompartment and the second compartment are vacuum flushed, pressureflushed or nitrogen flushed.
 27. The multi-compartment storage device ofclaim 17, wherein the cylinder includes at least one rib.
 28. Themulti-compartment storage device of claim 17, wherein the divider wallis coupled to the cylinder using at least one of adhesive, welding ortacks.
 29. A method of packaging a product in a multi-compartmentstorage device, the method comprising: obtaining the multi-compartmentstorage device, wherein the multi-compartment storage device comprises:a cylinder comprising a first end and a second end opposite the firstend, wherein the first end is characterized by a first diameter, whereinthe second end is characterized by a second diameter, and wherein thefirst diameter and the second diameter are substantially equal; and adivider wall disposed inside the cylinder, wherein the divider wall ischaracterized by a width that is substantially equal to the firstdiameter and the second diameter, and wherein the divider wall defines afirst compartment and a second compartment; introducing a first portionof the product into the first compartment; sealing the first compartmentcomprising the first portion of the product with a first seal;introducing a second portion of the product into the second compartment;and sealing the second compartment comprising the second portion of theproduct with a second seal.
 30. The method of claim 29, furthercomprising: coupling a reusable closure element to at least one of thefirst compartment and the second compartment.
 31. The method of claim30, wherein the reusable closure element is characterized by a thirddiameter that is larger than the first diameter, the second diameter,and the width.
 32. The method of claim 29, wherein at least one of thefirst seal or the second seal is single use.
 33. The method of claim 29,wherein the cylinder and the divider wall are molded as a unitary body.34. The method of claim 29, wherein the cylinder and the divider wallare made of a same material.
 35. The method of claim 29, wherein thedivider wall comprises a reinforcement lip.
 36. The method of claim 29,wherein the cylinder includes at least one rib.